Game On: Rain or Shine vs SMB

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (5-2) are looking to have a share of the top spot with Talk ‘N Text (6-2) – and Meralco if they go on to win the first game – at the expense of the San Miguel Beermen (2-6) whose campaign this conference is on the ropes. SMB needs to sweep their remaining games, including this one, to have a chance to move on to the playoffs.

It’s going to be interesting how Rain or Shine will face their former import, Arizona Reid, who won two Best Import Awards while playing for the Painters. In the past four games that Reid has been with SMB, he has helped them produce two wins while averaging 28 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. More importantly, he has allowed June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos to co-exist again on the court.

On the other hand, Wayne Chism has played two games with ROS, and so far, it has been working out. Probably the advantage of having Rick Jackson before was his offensive rebounding, but it’s understandable since Chism has the license to operate outside as much as inside. He went crazy from downtown as he drilled 7 of his team’s 12 three-pointers in their previous match. When he’s not close to the basket, it’s up to the locals to work hard in grabbing offensive boards. The Beermen happen to top this category with offensive rebounding rate of 21.1 percent. They produce an average of 16.5 points from second opportunities, while the Painters only manage 8.9 (worst in the league).

Rain or Shine’s top-notch ball movement (assist rate of 64.4 vs SMB’s 50), second-best defense (defensive rating of 93.6 vs SMB’s 102.4), and third-best effective shooting (effective field goal percentage of 47.1 vs SMB’s 42.3) are some of the weapons that the Painters will use to try to eliminate the Beermen from playoff contention.